The owners of Suffolk Downs say they're pleased with the decision by the Massachusetts Gaming Commission to allow them to move ahead with their bid for one of three casino licenses.

Chip Tuttle, chief operating officer of Suffolk Downs, said Wednesday that the commission's favorable finding was critical to the project's future.

The decision is a boost for the racetrack, which hopes to build a casino in the city's East Boston neighborhood and Revere.

It also comes a day after track owners told regulators they were in discussions with several potential casino operators but may not have one in place before host community votes scheduled for next week.

The search for a new operator began when Suffolk Downs cut ties with Caesars Entertainment after a background check conducted by commission investigators.